Karen Autio

Children’s Author | Editor | Presenter | Sensitivity Reader for Disability Awareness

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July 5, 2025
Book Signing with Lorna Schultz Nicholson at Mosaic Books, 411 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, BC  
May 28, 2025
Women Together virtual presentation called FROM IDEA TO PUBLICATION: Writing Books Kids Want to Read
May 1-9, 2025
SPRING AUTHOR TOUR presenting to students and teachers in Delta, Surrey & Victoria, BC 
January 30-31, 2025
OLA Super Conference, Toronto: January 30, 10:30 AM, book talk for PLAYDATE SURPRISE at the CANSCAIP Book Tasting in the Idea Hub of the MTCC Exhibit Hall January 31, 11 AM Author & Illustrator book signing & giveaway of PLAYDATE SURPRISE and UNE SURPRISE MERVEILLEUSE at Scholastic Booth #211  
October 25, 2024
CWILL presentations at the BC Teacher-Librarians' fall conference: Read Local, Teach Local: Connecting with BC Authors & Illustrators and AMA Author (& Illustrator) Edition: Expand your toolkit with this Q&A-meets-coaching session! in Victoria, BC. 
September 22, 2024
Book Launch of PLAYDATE SURPRISE and UNE SURPRISE MERVEILLEUSE with StoryTime, Kids' Craft and Book Signing at Once Upon a Bookstore, 2795 Tutt Street, Kelowna, BC, 1:00 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 and admit 2 attendees, and include 1 signed book (or store credit) and sticker sheet giveaway. Free for children under 2 years. Note: 3 p.m. reading will be simultaneously interpreted in ASL. 
September 16, 2023
I CAN, TOO! WINNER, The Word Awards - Books, General Market Fiction, Children, 2023 The Word Awards Winners
June 20, 2023
I CAN, TOO! shortlisted for two 2022 Word Awards in the categories BOOKS – GENERAL MARKET FICTION: CHILDREN - FICTION and SPECIALTY AWARDS: DEBRA FIEGUTH SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARD. The Word Awards Shortlist
March 15, 2023
I CAN, TOO! chosen for the first CBC KIDS READS
February 2, 2023
I CAN, TOO! named an Ontario Library Association’s OLA Best Bets Top Ten Canadian picture book titles published in 2022
I CAN, TOO! selected one of the Top Recommended Reads for the 2023 TD Summer Reading Club
October 23, 2022
Book Launch of I CAN, TOO!, Moi aussi, je peux! and LUNA with Readings and Book Signing in-person with Loraine Kemp at Mission Branch Library Capital News Centre, 4105 Gordon Drive, Kelowna, BC, 1:00 p.m. 
December 1, 2021
I CAN, TOO! published by SCHOLASTIC CANADA on October 4, 2022. This picture book about disabilities, inclusion and friendship for children ages 3-7 is illustrated by Laura Watson. Piper and Kayla love to move. They ride bikes, glide on ice, swoosh down mountains and much more – each in her own way. While Piper pedals her tricycle with her feet, Kayla uses her hands to move her trike forward. While Kayla coasts across the ice on a sled, Piper sails along on skates. Join Kayla and Piper as they play together, explore their world and make new friends.
September 23, 2021
Book Launch of MAKING SEAKER with Reading and Book Signing in-person and virtual via Facebook Live Event at Entershine Bookshop, 196 Algoma Street S., Thunder Bay, ON, 7:00 p.m. 
September 22, 2020
Virtual book launch for KAH-LAN AND THE STINK-INK hosted by the Vancouver Aquarium. Karen, illustrator Emma Pedersen, and Marine Mammal Rescue Centre Manager Lindsaye Akhurst presented this child-friendly event to celebrate sea otters and Kah-Lan's new story during Sea Otter Awareness Week.
June 14, 2019
GROWING UP IN WILD HORSE CANYON was a finalist for the 2019 Word Award in the category Books – Specialty.
March 26, 2019
Presentation titled GROWING UP IN WILD HORSE CANYON: An Author-Illustrator Collaboration at Penticton Museum Brown Bag Lecture Series, 785 Main Street, Penticton, BC, noon to 1 p.m. 
November 19, 2018
Book signing and presentation of GROWING UP IN WILD HORSE CANYON at Summerland Museum, 9521 Wharton St., Summerland, BC, 6:30 p.m. 
November 5-30, 2018
Okanagan Valley GROWING UP IN WILD HORSE CANYON Book Tour Part One with author-illustrator visits to schools in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Naramata, Okanagan Falls, Osoyoos, and Oliver. 
October 24, 2018
West Kelowna Launch and Book Signing of GROWING UP IN WILD HORSE CANYON in the Westbank Library, #31 - 2484 Main Street (Hwy 97 S): 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. Free event includes an author-illustrator presentation at 1 p.m. and refreshments! Autographed copies available for purchase. Westbank Library will invite classes from local elementary schools to attend and the public is also welcome.
October 20, 2018
Kelowna Launch and Book Signing of GROWING UP IN WILD HORSE CANYON in the Great Room (upstairs) at the Kelowna Library, 1380 Ellis Street: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Free event includes door prizes, activities for kids, a short author-illustrator presentation, and refreshments! Autographed copies available for purchase. Contest for schools! A free author-illustrator presentation for the school with the most students at the event.
October 1, 2018
Join Karen Autio and Loraine Kemp at the launch of Crwth Press! Celebrate the first season of books, including our picture book GROWING UP IN WILD HORSE CANYON. 7:00 p.m. Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad St., Victoria, BC 
January 27, 2018
KAH-LAN THE ADVENTUROUS SEA OTTER is now featured on a Reading Lights plaque installed in Creekside Park near Science World in Vancouver, BC. Reading Lights is a collaboration between Vancouver Public Library and the Children’s Writers and Illustrators of B.C. Society to celebrate those behind B.C. children’s books and to inspire the love of reading.
October 2-6, 2017
Okanagan Regional Library Author Tour Karen presented to students at the following branches: Vernon, Lake Country, Rutland, Osoyoos, Kaleden, and Keremeos.
May 12, 2017
Karen was named a finalist for the Okanagan Arts Award for Literature in Kelowna, BC.
July 3, 2016
BC Youth Writers’ Camp Karen presented the keynote address, in Penticton, BC.
June 24, 2016
KAH-LAN THE ADVENTUROUS SEA OTTER won the 2016 Word Award in the category Novel – Children!
May 7-14, 2016
TD Canadian Children’s Book Week 2016 Karen toured in Ontario, specifically from Sudbury to Sault Ste. Marie and points in between (including Webbwood, Blind River, Thessalon, Richard's Landing, and more).
May 6-7, 2016
Reading Town Canada 2016 Karen gave two Reading Town presentations for the National Reading Campaign's event. Reading Town Sudbury
November 2-5, 2015
KAH-LAN Book Tour: School and library presentations in Nipigon, Red Rock and Thunder Bay, Ontario
October 3, 2015
Kelowna Launch of KAH-LAN THE ADVENTUROUS SEA OTTER at the Kelowna Library, 1380 Ellis Street: 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Free event includes a kids' craft, puzzles, colouring for all ages, a short reading, Q&A, and sea snacks! Autographed copies are available for purchase by cash or cheque. Contest for students! A free author presentation for the school or homeschool co-op with the most students attending the event. Door prize for teachers! Draw for a reading circle set of 6 copies of KAH-LAN for teachers who attend, donated by Sono Nis press.
September 26, 2015
Vancouver Launch of KAH-LAN THE ADVENTUROUS SEA OTTER at the Vancouver Aquarium: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Come celebrate Sea Otter Awareness Week, Science Literacy Week and the launch of Karen’s new book! KAH-LAN THE ADVENTUROUS SEA OTTER is a chapter book for ages 7–12 illustrated by Sheena Lott. Event includes a reading, Q&A, and book signing.

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